Saturday, 31 October 2015

I spent yesterday doing jobs all day, finding things out for Mother, booking an electrician, trying to find out about LPG gas ovens for her, radiators and all kinds! I also had an estate agent round to value my house, who told me if I put it on the market today I would have a viewing by Monday, because of the massive shortage of houses in the under £150,000 bracket. I'm just waiting for Autumn migration to finish properly and then I'm going to have to take hold of my life seriously. This will mean doing boring tedious things like Boot Sales, unpacking and re-packing boxes and down sizing all my possessions. I need to sell this house for several reasons, the main one being I hate living here and in King's Lynn – it was only purchased, as it was the only place I could afford to buy at the time. Anyway, I could waffle on about this for ages, so will stop now!

Also, apologies to anyone that has emailed me over the last few days/week, I can't send any emails out at the moment – unfortunately I am a TalkTalk customer! I am receiving emails, but can't send any. I have contacted them on Twitter, don't know what's going on – not sure if its widespread because of the hack or I'm being hacked personally!!!

The weather has been dire the last couple of days, so it was lovely to see the sun making an appearance today. I headed straight to Gramborough Hill at Salthouse. Driving along Old Woman's Lane at Cley I saw a Red Admiral in a field on route. Parked up at Beach Road and walked to Gramborough Hill. Bumped into John Furse and Eddie Myers, who were just leaving. As we stood chatting a Short-eared Owl in off the sea, suddenly appeared yards from us and was trying to shake off two Carrion Crows – unsuccessfully! We couldn't take any pictures as it was against the sun. I raced up the hill to get a better view, leaving Eddie and John to walk back to their cars. The owl continued to be harrassed by the crows for ages and in fact until I gave up watching! I didn't see any birds in the scrub apart from a Meadow Pipit.

I walked over the shingle ridge and sat to watch the sea. A raft of Eider including several stunning males were sitting on the sea – I counted 18 – a fabulous sight in the sunshine! Good numbers of Gannets seen too, 26 west and 16 east. I didn't count them seriously, there were probably far more than that. I was cursing that I had not brought my scope, so walked back to the car and returned, so I could try and phone scope/video the Eider, but of course they had disappeared! Julian B. joined me and we watched a Red-throated Diver close in catching fish and also photographed a Gannet that was cruising past close in, also fishing. We stood here for quite a while in hope that another Short-eared Owl or something else equally as exciting dropped in, but it didn't! Chatted with James Mc. briefly in Beach Road and put in a request for a mega – any time over the next few days would do very nicely.

Went to the Cley NWT Visitor Centre briefly – the staff were dressed in halloween attire with devil horns and all kinds! A sawn off arm hung off the counter and there were some goolish green jelly with eyes balls on offer in the cafe, along with some garishly coloured cakes for sale! This worked a 'treat' and put me right off breaking my diet!!!

Re-located to just east of Walsey Hills and had my home-made lentil and vegetable soup with 1 brown roll and some fruit. I then walked to the NEW 'Babcock Hide' which the NWT opened on the 17th October. The hide is east of the East Bank and can be reached via the new Attenborough walk from the East Bank car park. The hide overlooks 'Watling Water'. It was quite exciting walking to somewhere new! From the road it doesn't look very inspiring to be honest. Several local birders have not even walked out here yet – not even Eddie!

The new hide door was a job to open – a very heavy door. There is a notice up inside the hide explaining that there are a few issues which the contractor will be rectifying soon, including the disabled seats that don't lift up for wheelchairs etc. The hide flaps are the same design as the other central hides (Daukes etc). Sitting down was the right height for me to view, but if I had wanted to stand and use my scope I wouldn't have been able to, as the bottom flap was too low which mean't I was hunched and the top one too high. So a hide clamp is a necessity here (which I had left in the car). The view from the hide was spectacular – this is a vast scrape and includes muddy edges and little islands. I ended up spending the rest of the day here! I had an excellent selection of birds including a massive count of 50 Gadwall, Teal x 5+, Little Grebes x 2, Little Egrets x 2, 1 Snipe, Lapwings x 70, pair of Mallard, Black-headed Gulls x 31, Carrion Crows x 2, Starlings+++, Pied Wagtails x 11 landed on the muddy edge at dusk, a Ringed Plover landed on central island, Egyptian Geese x 2, Pochard x 1, Heron and a Wren. I left the hide and stood just outside by the 5 bar gate (no entry sign on gate, with path running north beyond). A pair of stunning Stonechats were perched on the reeds and I got some cracking phone-scoped video of them both. At dusk I had fabulous views of a male Hen Harrier, a Ringtail and 4 Marsh Harriers! Also equally fabulous was thousands upon thousands of Starlings flying west over the marshes with that wonderful whooshing sound as they flew over my head.

The midges were evil little S**'s and attacked me like the devil possessed! As I walked back to my car, thousands of Pink-footed Geese flew north west across the pink skies in v formations – a beautiful end to the day. Made a hot chocolate to warm up before heading home.

Thursday, 29 October 2015

I had full intentions of going birding, but the day didn't exactly work out as I had planned at all. I started the day by making a massive batch of lentil and vegetable soup and then headed into town to get a couple of chores done. Went to my parents to deliver some of my soup to my Mother and sat with them for a while. Father was in a grumpy mood and wouldn't let me help him with anything. He was wearing his shorts today with blanket over his knees and a hot water bottle – makes no sense whatsoever!!!

I have never known a day to disappear so fast. Drove up to Choseley and watched 9 Red-legged Partridges in a field and one Hare. A party of Long-tailed Tits flitted along the hedge line. Ended the day sitting in the car at Brancaster Staithe Quay watching tons of Gulls, Brent Geese, Turnstone, Curlews, several Little Egrets and Pied Wagtails. I got lucky when I was scanning the mud flats with a flash of turquoise zooming past – a Kingfisher!

I was so tired driving home, I had a job to keep awake and feel unusually exhausted this evening. A big thank to all of you that have very kindly emailed me over the last few days – much appreciated, sorry I have not had time to reply properly yet.

I kept that one quiet didn't I!!! Out birding tomorrow, not back to work until Thursday 5th November!!! I originally booked all next week off, but brought it forward by a couple of days, glad I did, as the winds blow west all next week. At least it remains east for the next few days, hoping very much for that Norfolk Mega still!

Father fell out of bed last night, Mother hauled him back in, when she has strict instructions NOT to as he is too heavy and she could injure herself or worse. She should have simply called the brilliant, 24 local emergency service for people that have fallen. But my Mother doesn't take any notice of safe and sensible procedures. She wasted her energy anyway, as she still couldn't get Father where he should be in bed and had to call them anyway!!! Parents are soooo disobedient!

Father will be 89 on Monday 2nd November – I really, really hope he makes it. I've just bought him two thermal tops from Tescos – he's constantly saying he's cold. He's cold because he refuses to wear thermal tops, so I'm putting my foot down now – well I'll try anyway! I have been buying the same men's thermal tops for years, they are brilliant – I don't give a hoot if they are for men or women, they do the job and I wear them every time I go birding in Autumn/Winter!

I don't have much luck with kettles – the switch broke on mine this week and this evening I went to Tescos to try and exchange it – I was very lucky indeed, as it was just out of the year guarantee and the Manager allowed me to exchange it for the same one. Oh AND I lost 4lbs at SW this evening – not been for three weeks, so I should have lost that anyway, but pleased with that result – any loss is good!

Will tomorrow be a lucky day? Maybe! I havn't got a clue where to start tomorrow to be honest, east or west – will have a think later on.

Sunday, 25 October 2015

1 Redwing, 1 Blackbird, Long-tailed Tits x 4 and a handful of Robins and Goldcrests was all I could dig up this afternoon. I have never seen so many people at Wells, the car park was full with people queueing up and another car park half way along Beach Road was also full. A beautiful sunny day.

Went to visit my parents and joined my sisters Lucy and Vivien. Not seen Vivien for ages, so that was nice. Father was tearful and emotional all evening – very difficult to cope with.

First found on Monday 19th October by Julian Branscombe in a garden on Papa Westray, Orkney, seen again on Tuesday but no sign since. Then re-located yesterday on Saturday 24th October between Holland Farm and track to Knapp of Howar, mid afternoon and showing still in the evening.

Saturday, 24 October 2015

I must admit, with the stress of this week, I had completely forgotten that the clocks go back one hour at 2am tomorrow. I hate changing the clocks, why can't they leave time as is!!!

Spent all day helping my parents. Father's stroke has affected his memory – he can't recall being in hospital at all! He's seems very confused, but overall much better at home, eating well, but extremely tired and can't stand on the sturn for very long at all. Pouring with rain most of the day, miserable weather. I can feel a sore throat coming on, feel pretty rough right now. Pulled the car boot door onto my head in Hunstanton Sainsbury's car park – forehead very sore to touch!

Friday, 23 October 2015

Huge thanks to Emily Mathers who kindly helped me out this morning and very sweetly bought me chocs (I did share them!) because of the utterly crap week I've had with Father having a stroke and being on my own ward. Very, very difficult situation indeed. Several tears shed and my apologies if this affected anyone else. Also thanks to colleagues in my rehab team who so kindly supported me and particular thanks on the ward to NA's Sheila, Lauren, Kim, Kerry, Staff Nurses Paulo and Joan and also to Sarah P., Debbie and Jane.

Father has picked up a bit today at home with Mother so she told me at lunchtime, which is good, but he is very tearful, confused and extremely tired. I don't think he's realises yet that he's home, poor man.

Took Lucy to her orchestra practice this evening and picked her up later and took her home. Can't wait to get into my bed. I'm completely and utterly exhausted.

Thursday 23rd October
As I write, I've just woken up after collapsing on the sofa. My Father refused to have breakfast this morning as he wanted a shave first. He wasn't understanding that he was not at home and not every patient can be washed before breakfast. He looked very sleepy still. A staff nurse gave him a yoghurt mid morning and I gave him a mashed banana in my teabreak at 11am. After this time he became incredibly drowsy and was in a deep sleep for the rest of the day. I even couldn't wake him for lunch which was worrying as travelling later on, with an almost empty stomach is not ideal. He had been shouting all night apparently. It took four of us to stern him into the wheelchair for the paramedics/ambulance crew to take him home. On hindsight now, he should have stayed in hospital longer, but doctors were happy for him to be discharged.

I arrived at my parent's house before the ambulance arrived. The rest of the evening was traumatic to say the least. The ambulance arrived and Father had been sick on route – his clothes and him were in a real state because of this. He looked pale and exhausted and wasn't speaking. The crew got him into the house and helped us to change him and sit him in his armchair.

Father didn't speak or respond to us at all. I accepted that he had been through a hell time over the last week and the travelling today etc had completely finished him off. I thought we were going to lose him and I became very upset and just sat hugging him. BUT it was when he became increasingly cold – forehead cool and slightly clammy, that I phoned the Community Matron – no reply and phone switched off. I just got through to Burnham Market Surgery before they closed at 6.30pm and spoke to a very nice lady doctor, who an hour later came out to see Father. She concluded that it was down to the sickness and trauma of coming home etc. His temperature was 36.2 and she listened to his chest which seemed fine. I don't know how she did, but managed to wake him enough to get a grumpy response and him becoming very cross. Mother and I were pleased that he responded, even though it wasn't a happy response! The doctor left and I felt happier. Lucy phoned a couple of times to see how Father was, which was sweet of her.

A member of staff from Norfolk First Support came out to assist us to get Father to bed, but he dug his heels in deep. He absolutely refused, it was impossible, draining and very frustrating. We lied about the time (it was 8.30pm) and told him it was 10pm and that he and us, all needed to go to bed. Long story short, I managed to get his important tablet swallowed with half a glass of water also drank. Eventually an hour later he agreed to get into bed, but refused to take his clothes off and change into pyjamas. He also at the transfer point became very aggressive towards the NFS lady and myself, only allowing Mother to get him into bed. I took over at one point as Mother was struggling to get him far enough over on the bed and let's just say I was responded to physically! I left their house at 9.45pm exhausted and had a job to get home to be honest. An exhausting week both physically and mentally. Wish their was someone to look after me through all of this, but there isn't, so as they say 'the show must go on'!!! Good night or should I say good morning!

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Father has become increasingly agitated and well impossible (best way of putting it!) as the day has gone on. My Mother came to visit this afternoon and to meet with OT/PT to discuss Father's discharge from hospital. I found out early evening, that the most important tablet he should have had, that keeps him sane, was not given last night as he refused to take it. So this explained why its been such a difficult day. He refused it again this evening, but I laid down the law and got very bossy with him and between Mother and I (with nurse supervising), we managed to get him to take the tablet thank goodness. He may be coming home tomorrow, which is good for him, but pity Mother couldn't have a rest a bit longer. I took Mother home this evening and we got fish 'n' chips from 'Sunny Hunny' on route. Their house was freezing, Father will get a shock when he returns home after sitting in a hot hospital!

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Father was loads calmer this morning and was talking to me normally. He was sturned out of bed today for the first time and sat in the bedside chair for most of the day. It was the first time he ate a significant amount of food today, although that wasn't very much to be honest, but was a good start. By the afternoon when Lucy came to vist, he looked exhausted and nodded in agreement when I asked him if he wanted to get back to bed, when I finished work.

I took Lucy home, then whizzed home, changed uniform and returned to the hospital to assist Father with his tea, but he refused the main course and I won't say what he said the rice pudding tasted like!!! But he did eat 3/4 of a mashed banana and had 4 large chocolate buttons. He became very, very tearful and upset after that, which in turn distressed me. All he wants to do is go home, hopefully he will be soon. I left at about 8pm.

Went to Tescos as I desperately needed some basic food items. Went home and fell asleep. Didn't cook dinner, snacked which is not good at all. Edited pictures and added loads to my blog, scroll down to view!

Monday, 19 October 2015

In some respects it was fabulous to back with my collegues and at work. But it was very odd, seeing my Father on my ward, odd and very strange indeed. The good news is he passed his swallow assessment and is allowed to eat. The bad news is that he is so tired, we couldn't even wake him to have lunch. He slept all afternoon. When I returned this evening to visit with Lucy, he was distressed, angry and lashing out, probably due to several obvious reasons, having a stroke, not having any sleep for the last two nights and not having his new tablet for the past two days which settles him. I tried my best to get him to eat his tea, but he refused and got angry, so left it. Lucy and I went to sit in the day room and filled all the food menu cards out for him for the next few days, to let him settle and then returned to his bedside. It took four of us (staff and me) to change him into night attire and change etc. Lucy had bought him some chocolates and a card, but he wasn't in a state of mind to even be aware of them. We were just saying our goodbyes, when he seemed calmer and asked where he was, why and where we were – I explained everything and he got very upset. Soul destroying to see him like this. We left, I took Lucy home and I went home mentally exhausted.

Sunday, 18 October 2015

I didn't get to bed until 4.30am because of last night, but still woke up at around 9am and couldn't sleep any more. I was exhausted, both phsically and mentally. My intention was to return to Wells to get better pictures of the Red-flanked Bluetail and attempt to get some of the Blyth's Reed Warbler etc, but obviously I wouldn't be doing that today now. Spent a good part of my day catching up with jobs that now needed to be done today, in order to be able to cope with going to work tomorrow and coping with Father's hospital admission.

Went to visit my father for a short while in the afternoon and very sadly he was very distressed and upset and wanted to go home. He has had a small stroke, so not major, but at aged 88 (soon to be 89), your body and mind can only take so much. Such kindness from very special nurses and staff, especially S, P., J, A, and T. (you know who you are) was much appreciated.

I needed some air, so on the way to my Mother's I went for a short walk at Snettisham Coastal Park. This was a complete and utter waste of time and energy. All I saw was a few Robins, but of note 21 Magpies flew across inland – biggest count of Magpies that I can recall. Pity they weren't Great Grey Shrikes!

I then went to my Mother's to collect Father's medication and lots of clothes for him etc. Mother was exhausted and asleep on the sofa when I arrived. Returned to the hospital to find Father in a calmer state thank goodness. Sorted all his clothes and things out and tidied them perfectly – D. will be impressed!

Back to work in the morning. Annoyingly its STILL North East tomorrow – selfishly praying that Mega doesn't decide to arrive whilst I'm at work! Wind then turns westerly and North West for the rest of the week, so sea-watching will be on the cards for those that are not at work.

SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER
I arrived at Wells Beach Car park before sunrise. Mission: to see and photograph Ashley's Saunders's Red-flanked Bluetail that he found yesterday. I saw it last night, but not for long enough. How can you ever tire of watching one of this stunning little birds! There were around 10 cars already in the car park, I was surprised there was not more to be honest. I heard later (as I expected) that people could not get in the car park later - the car park is currently being re-vamped and there are bulldozers/diggers digging up and re-doing TWO-THIRDS of the entire car park, only leaving a very small amount of parking spaces. I'm guessing this re-vamp was organised around holidaymakers not being here in October, but they hadn't allowed for the fact that in birding world, when October is dripping with rares, its like a Bank Holiday Monday daily! – they hadn't really thought about that at all and also have lost lots of money, through turning people away yesterday.

RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL

The Drinking Pool, Wells Woods

Anyway, I packed up my backpack for the day, in case I suddenly had to walk to Holkham or further for a mega. When I arrived at the drinking pool, there was only one other birder sitting and waiting patiently for the bluetail to appear. I was surprised there were not more people here already. It didn't take too long for me to spot the gorgeous Red-flanked Bluetail flicking about in the central area of the drinking pool fly catching and pumping his tail – every so often he would call – magical to watch, texted RBA. I quickly observed his favoured feeding areas, which basically was the entire area of the pool area, but especially a bramble/birch area in the centre. For those of you that don't know, the 'drinking pool' doesn't have any water in the bottom alot of the time, but is a huge basin of different shrubs and trees including birches, sallows, bramble, Hemp Agrimony etc in the middle of the woodland – a beautiful setting. The RFB was very mobile, there was lots of branches and leaves
obscuring the bird when it did sit still for a few seconds, so
difficult to photograph. I managed to obtain a few good record shots, but no jaw dropping ones! As the pager news broke that the RFB was still here, birders and photographers arrived in droves. Whilst I was there, everyone behaved very well overall, apart from one photographer (older guy all dressed in camo gear) who selfishly walked down and near to the middle, which was only a couple of yards from the bird's favoured birch/bramble – he had no binoculars – I don't get this new breed of photographers who are not birders at all – I presume they are purely here to make money from their photographs. How can you take photographs of birds and not be a birder? – I don't get it all! I could have easily abused the situation when I arrived so early this morning and walked down into the middle, but to me that would have disturbed the bird uneccesarily and it would have been selfish to my fellow birders. It annoyed the hell of me seeing that photographer stood where he was. I left, but as I did, I walked round to the photographer and said 'Excuse me'.... no response, said it again, louder, still no response... said much louder 'EXCUSE ME' – realising I wasn't going to to give up, the man turned round and I said 'you're standing far too close, do you realise you standing where the bird favours to feed?' The reply I got was muffled and he pointed as if to say the bird was still feeding. I didn't pursue this any further, what was the point, he wasn't going to move. Where was Eddie when you need him to haul someone out!!!

I wanted to try and see the Blyths's Reed Warbler again, but I was drawn west in an attempt to see the Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler and Pallas's Warblers. As I walked west along the main path, I just could not believe the amount of birders around – probably a few hundred at least, it was quite staggering. I have never seen so many birders in place, aside from a major twitch. There were around 50 I noted at one point just to view a single Pallas's Warbler. Lots of birders I didn't recognise as obviously birders had come from other parts of the UK to enjoy our massive spectacle of birds. Although I like to get away from the crowd to enjoy my birding, it was fabulous to see so many birders in one place. Along the main track I saw a Firecrest and a Pallas's Warbler (distantly) – I didn't see the Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler though. I continued west towards Holkham. In one clearing I watched 3 Blackcaps together in one bramble along with another birder. I diverted through the pines, across the edge of dunes at Holkham and through the back of the pines along a pine needled path in search of a my own bluetail or OBP. Nothing found apart from Goldcrests. Diverted down through the trees and came out at 'Salt Hole' to be greeted by 3 Little Grebes. Continued west and had stunning views of the Isabelline Shrike perched on a hawthorn bush and watched this along with Alan and Ruth Davies (Biggest Twitch) and others – the light was poor for photography though. Also watched a Treecreeper fly across.

Near the crosstracks at Holkham, news came through of Northern Treecreeper 10 minutes ago at 2.10pm – bumped into Ashley Banwell and we tried to find where this had been seen, but no joy. Ashley continued east and I headed west. I stood by the gate near the pond, just west of Washington Hide and watched Blackbirds and Robins feeding on the grassy track. Returned to crosstracks and bumped into the Northern Treecreeper finder, Stuart White! He showed me where he had seen the Treecreeper and I decided it would be a good place to have lunch. Unbeknown to me, the Northern Treecreeper was being watched only 50 yards west of me I discovered, when birders I knew walked past me! So, sadly I never got to see one today.

Headed into the cherry trees/bush and round the back (reed bed side) to watch my second Red-flanked Bluetail of the day in much more chilled circumstances! Also saw a Pallas's Warbler briefly high up in a tree by the main path which someone else had found. I made the crazy decision to walk to Burnham Overy Dunes to search for birds. There were so many birders at Wells and Holkham, I wondered if anyone had searched Burnham Overy Dunes?! It was tough walking that far, but made it. It was now raining and the wind remained strong. I didn't have time or energy to cover the whole area, but concentrated on the end section of the dunes just west of the pines, covering the subalpine pit as I call it and all the hollows/bushes. It was so windy, anything that had dropped in would be hunkered down for the night. All I managed to flush out were Redwings, Blackbirds, Robins and a Wren. Poor result for a long walk, but at least I tried. I didn't see any other birders here at all. It was now 5pm.

Headed back – even tougher walk back. Took me one hour with birding to get to Lady Ann's Drive. Chatted with some birders briefly who were staying here for a few days. Only Goldcrests, Robins and Thrushes seen on the way back. I also thought I had a Great Grey Shrike in a field but it seemed to magically disappear. It took another hour to get back to Wells car park, arriving back at my car drenched and shattered. Collapsed in the car with exhaustion. Placed my wet coat, bins etc in the car.

I quickly rang my Mother before I set off to see how things were at home. Mother had to call the Matron out on Friday as Father didn't seem himself – his speech wasn't quite right and the Matron thought that he may have had a mini TIA, but all resolved later and he was fine. He was also fine this morning (Saturday). Father had his usual afternoon nap, but later on Mother couldn't wake him up and he wasn't speaking to her at all – at around 5pm. I didn't know anything about all of this until I phoned at 7pm. I was annoyed to say the least that Mother had not phoned someone sooner. She had tried to phone the Community Matron who did not answer her phone. I flew in the car to Holme arriving at about 7.30pm. As soon as I saw my Father I dialled 999. His eyes were open, but he was unresponsive, his face was like stone, no eye or mouth movement. My instinct told me that father could understand me though and he was able to follow instruction and attempted to lift his arms when I asked him. His eyes were glazed and he looked awful. I can understand Mother not wanting Father in hospital, neither do I but this was a no choice situation. Lots of things then went on between Mother and I that is not appropriate to put on here – let's just say I think she was feeling guilty about not phoning for help earlier and I got the brunt of it. The Paramedics were awesome in a dire situation and were there within 5 minutes (they must have come from Hunstanton). We had to clear the room and the porch for them to get him out of the house. Mother and I followed the ambulance. We waited with Father in A&E. He went for a CT scan and we waited for ages. Staff in A&E lovely, especially Tracy who was an NA I worked with for many years. Father very uncomfortable on the resus trolly, which obviously isn't mean't to be comfortable. Saw a very nice Doctor who was brilliant and did all the usual tests and told us the scan had showed a small stroke (no bleed thank goodness). It was torture to leave and Father got very upset and wanted to go home 'now'. So we left him on the resus trolley in A&E.

This morning (Sunday) I was furious to hear, that he had been on that resus trolley all night and half the morning as the hospital was bed blocked – no beds available. He was shortly going to be admitted to the Stroke Ward when I rang them this morning.

Saturday, 17 October 2015

There has to be a mega out there somewhere, search hard and when you find your monster bird, ring the news in early – no suppression please, east or west!

I spoke to Pete S. this evening who found the Great Grey Shrike on Muckleburgh Hill (his local patch) and he said that in one of his favourite areas on the hill this evening, were tons of Goldcrests and at least 15 Chiffchaffs in one tiny little patch! He had never seen it like that. He added 'there has to be something big on this hill'. I actually hope there isn't with the parking situation as it is.

Lots of good birds to be found tomorrow, enjoy the weekend everyone!

WeatherSaturday – North, North East – strong 20mph winds all day.Sunday – North, North East on Sunday but winds drop significantly to around 7mph, which could be the day for finding that monster bird!

Friday, 16 October 2015

I only had three hours sleep and forced myself to get up early, felt wrecked and looked wrecked. I wanted to see the Olive-backed Pipit at Muckleburgh Hill badly. I've seen one before, but they are just stunning birds to see, never tire of seeing them! Here is the last one I photographed at Stiffkey. Still blowing North Easterly and very strong winds today.

There wasn't any news on the OBP before I left the house, but I went anyway as I felt sure it was still there. When I reached Holt, news came on the pager that it was still there, fabulous! Parked up in Weynor Gardens and crossed the road to walk to Muckleburgh Hill. For anyone going at the weekend, firstly I was told this afternoon that the police have coned off one side of the road because of silly parking today as local vehicles could not get through, also the police will be monitoring this in the morning, so be warned! Directions: After crossing the road, go through the gate and take the right hand path that climbs up the hill. This path then bends left, keep following this path until it opens out and then bears right, but do not bear right, instead veer off left up the bracken covered hill to view the top, which consists of short and dead bracken, grassy bits and heather and this is surrounded by high dense bracken. There is a an oak tree and a rowan tree in the middle (ish). The OBP feeds all around the rowan tree and is very camouflaged, creeps around, but shows well when it does – good luck and enjoy. I spent a long time enjoying and photographed this cracking bird.

OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT

Muckleburgh Hill, Weybourne

What to do now? I had food with me, but I really fancied something hot and a proper sit down, so I had a fabulous lunch in the Kelling Tea Rooms which is dead opposite the track to Kelling Water Meadows. I can strongly recommend having lunch here. I simply had vegetable soup and crusty brown bread and butter. I have been very good with not eating crap this week, so did have a treat with a piece of their scrumptious coffee & walnut cake which I took away!

Next stop I decided was Gramborough Hill at Salthouse. Parked the car up and had my piece of cake and a coffee. I nearly fell asleep at this point, but shook myself and got out of the car. It was FREEZING here and the wind was almost gale force. I walked up to Gramborough Hill and skulked around the bushes looking for a Siberian Rubythroat, but it was obviously hunkered down well!!! I could hardly stand upright on the top of the hill, seaward side and huge waves were crashing on the shingle.

I was just about to leave and blitz Walsey Hills, when the pager bleeped up with RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL at the drinking pool, Wells!!! I was going there after Walsey anyway. Obviously gave Walsey Hills a miss and zoomed up to Wells in the green machine! Another £3.00 in the ticket machine! For a bluetail though, it was worth it. Walked as fast as I could to the drinking pool, to find an already large number of birders trying to view the bird in the large drinking pool area. You will never guess who found this.... Ashley Saunders, who has already found a Blyth's Reed Warbler this week, he's on a good run!!! Follow that man! Ashley's account and video of his RFB is HERE. I had good but brief views of the Red-flanked Bluetail, but not long enough to get a picture. Well I did take a couple of pics, but they are smudges on the camera! Most birders went off and followed the bird in whatever direction it went to, but J.F. another birder and myself stayed put. This paid off as the bird returned, still not able to get a picture though. We didn't see it anymore once dusk had set in. Will it be there tomorrow I wonder? Good chance I would have thought.

Drove home and started getting things ready for the morning, so I get to bed at a more reasonable hour. Its going to be a crazy weekend and I can't wait! Got tons of photos of the awesome Olive-backed Pipit at Muckleburgh Hill
today, but after three hours sleep last night, I won't be sorting through
hundreds of pictures tonight. Up in the dark
tomorrow to join thousands of other birders travelling to and local
birders for what's going to be an incredible weekend in Norfolk. I can't
remember the last time we had a run of North Easterlies like this in
October! An incredible week, but still no mega, got to be on the
cards for the weekend, surely!!! Hope my holiday ends in a mega! I
desperately wish I had booked another week off! With Ashley Saunders
finding a Blyth's Reed Warbler and tonight's Red-flanked Bluetail at
Wells, we are hoping for a third bird please, before Monday though!

I have been asked by a local birder and also from the farmer at Garden Drove, Warham that birders DO NOT park in front of ANY of the pig-feed storage tanks. A large lorry regularly arrives on a daily basis (including weekends!) on the concrete pad and needs to park alongside (in front of all the tanks) to fill the tanks. If cars are parked there, the farmer can not carry out this procedure! The farmer has requested that birders park around the circumference of the concrete pad, so they can carry on working as normal. Also do not block any of the field/gate entrances. Its all common sense really! It is obviously in ALL our interests that we keep a friendly relationship with the farmer, otherwise we might not be able to park anywhere there at all! Thank you very much.

Thursday, 15 October 2015

Garden Drove and Wells
I was out early and arrived at Garden Drove, Warham at 8am. Very black clouds, made viewing difficult this morning. I walked east along the footpath to Wells. Between Garden Drove and Wells I saw a big movement of thrushes, including Blackbirds, Redwings, Song Thrushes and tons of Robins, Goldcrests and also a few Chiffchaffs. At the large scrub either side of the coastal footpath approx 1 mile west of Garden Drove, I sadly found 2 dead Goldcrests on the path. However, I had a nice surprise – a Whinchat appeared briefly in on a twig in the same scrub at 9am.

Oystercatchers and Brent Geese at East Hills

Brent Geese at East Hills

Wren in the Sycamore Glade, East Hills

East Hills
Very wet walking out at East Hills today, can't believe I didn't fall over or sink! Hundreds of Brent Geese and a big number of Oystercatchers on the north side by Wells Harbour. It was exciting to be out here, as there was a MASSIVE fall of birds. Hundreds of thrushes including Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Redwings and smaller numbers of Fieldfare. Blackbirds and Redwings were in the biggest numbers and continuously scattered out of brambles as I walked along. Big numbers of Robins, lots of Wrens popping up everywhere, Hedgesparrows. Hundreds of Goldcrests, to be fair probably 1000+ were feeding on every available sycamore leaf and pine branch, a spectacle indeed! Flushed a Woodcock at the far end, also a couple of pheasants. A handful of Chiffchaffs were also seen in the main sycamore glade, along with 3 Bramblings and Blue Tits and Great Tits. I also found several very smart male Blackcaps. 4 Marsh Harriers were gliding around the south dunes. Also a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling. Whilst sitting under a pine tree at 12pm to have my late breakfast: an egg and vege sausage roll with coffee, I was treated to a spectacular overhead sighting of 2 majestic Red Kites, just over the tree tops!!! Couldn't get the camera on them quick enough though! Then the rain fell heavily. I hunkered against the pine tree whilst it hammered down. Suddenly another birder appeared and someone I hadn't expected – photographer David Tipling! David had flushed a Long-eared Owl in between two sycamores in the large flat area of ground! We swapped telephone numbers in case either found that elusive mega!

Chiffchaff in the Sycamore Glade, East Hills

Chiffchaff in the Sycamore Glade, East Hills

Goldcrests feeding in the Sycamore Glade, East Hills

Quite a while ago I dragged up two plastic type boxes off the beach, which each have small compartments in – these hold water and they make a perfect drinking/bathing container for tired migrants and because the sections are small, there are no fatalities. Sadly though, I found a new deep, white plastic container full of water and a Robin who had not been able to get out – I turned the container on its side, to allow only a small amount of water to reside, a sad and unnecessary death for the Robin, after all his hard work getting here. I also found a dead Redwing later. Lots of pager messages bleeping up all day including a third Isabelline Shrike – must be a record having 3 Isabelline Shrikes in Norfolk! Also pager messages included Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler at Wells and Brancaster and one of my favourite birds, an Olive-backed Pipit at Muckleburgh Hill and equally as frustrating a Long-eared Owl on Gramborough Hill – lots of Great Grey Shrikes etc – torture! Kept telling myself that all these would seem insignificant when I found my mega!

Song Thrush, East Hills

I spent a long time looking for David's Long-eared Owl – it was very frustrating to know that a Long-eared Owl was on here somewhere and I couldn't find it! I walked round East Hills twice, covering every area in my search for that one special bird. Though, most of my time was spent in the sycamore glade, peering up at green sycamore leaves and checking out every Goldcrest. I so wanted to see a Pallas's Warbler out here, but simply couldn't find one. There had been one out here yesterday according to late news today, along with a Great Grey Shrike. I also saw a Kestrel and a Common Buzzard out here and a Sparrowhawk zoomed through, then landed briefly on a pine tree before heading off. I found a third birder in the sycamore glade who was staying out until 5.30pm, I presume he didn't find anything big after I left.

Redwing, East Hills

Blackcap at East Hills

I begrudgingly left the sycamore glade at just after 4pm and trudged back over quick sand, pools of water, creeks and mud. Saw 6 Grey Plovers flying north and 5 Little Egrets, arriving back at Garden Drove at 5.15pm, then headed back up the track to my car – I felt exhausted. It was now raining again. I could hear lots of Goldcrests on route back. Removed my extremely muddy waterproof over trousers and left quickly to twitch the Olive-backed Pipit.

Arrived at Weybourne at dusk. Flew out of the car, across the road and into Muckleburgh Hill as the light was fading fast. Several happy birders walking back, who told me exact location to see the Olive-backed Pipit. Passed R.M and M.T only yards from where it was last seen to have flown and Richard kindly gave me some tips on where/how to find it – search all along the edges of the bracken, which I did, but failed miserably. Got excited when a bird flew down on the edge of a strip of bracken to reveal a red breast! A robin tantalising me. I was gutted to say the least, I LOVE Olive-backed Pipits and this really made me p*ssed off to say the least. But time and light were against me. Nothing else I could do but make the long drive home.

So, in summary, a top draw day of migration at East Hills, but pretty shocked not to even find a Yellow-browed or Pallas's Warbler, never mind something rarer! I won't go out again before I go back to work on Monday. Three days left, its gone so quickly and there are still so many birds I want to see. I might follow the pager tomorrow!

SEARCH MY BLOG

FOLLOW BY EMAIL

MY TWITTER FEED

Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

BLOG STATS!

I have a minimum of 4,000+ views a day, this can rise to 8,000 a day when I've posted and added photographs of a very rare bird or a popular post! Therefore, my blog is an excellent place to advertise. CleySpy who currently advertise with me (scroll to top) 'have more hits on their website via my blog than they do on google'! If you wish to place a natural history related advert on here, please email me at pennyclarke@dsl.pipex.com to discuss.

Total Pageviews Of My Blog – Live!

Translate

I M A G E S

If you wish to purchase an image as a print or digital file for personal use or publication, please send an email to: pennyclarke@dsl.pipex.comP R I N T SHigh quality prints are available at the following prices:

SEARCH MY BLOG

PHOTOGRAPHS

The following are a small selection of my photographs since 2010. Use the SEARCH MY BLOG facility, to search for more photographs to view or purchase. Clicking on the picture will take you to my post on the day.